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1 John 4:1

Truth and honestyWisdomSpiritual warfareThe Holy Spirit
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
KJV
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
WEB
Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
ASV
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
DARBY
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
BLB
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
ÅB
Dere elskede! tro ikke enhver ånd, men prøv åndene om de er av Gud! for mange falske profeter er gått ut i verden.
OTB
Kjære venner, tro ikke enhver ånd, men prøv åndene om de er fra Gud, for mange falske profeter har gått ut i verden.
B1930
I elskede! tro ikke enhver ånd, men prøv åndene om de er av Gud! for mange falske profeter er gått ut i verden.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21

    Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

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  • 2 Peter 2:1

    But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

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  • 1 Timothy 4:1

    Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

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  • Proverbs 14:15

    The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

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  • 2 John 1:7

    For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

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  • Matthew 24:4–5

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

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  • Jeremiah 29:8–9

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

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  • Matthew 7:15–16

    Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

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